Category: Link Round-Ups

Let’s face it: none of us are perfect all of the time. And unless you have a puppy dog face like my dog Lilo up there, there’s a lot to be said for learning to firstly take responsibility for our errors and secondly do what it takes to make it right. That’s what this week’s round-up is all about — what do you when you mess up. (Pay no mind to the fact that this post is going live the day after Valentine’s Day.)

Lesson of the Week

An apology is only worth the amount you mean it. Here are three perspectives on how to apologize.

Product of the Week

You know how I’d like someone to apologize to me? With cupcakes. This $11 cupcake pan comes ready to transport with a cover. So simple, yet what a difference it makes! (And as an FYI for any sometimes or frequent bakers out there, I’ve had nothing but wonderful experience with Wilton products for baking. They’re entirely affordable and super high quality.)

I’ve always been a fan of Valentine’s Day, whether I’ve been paired or not. To me, it’s about the celebration of love in all its forms. However, I know some people beg to differ about the worth of the holiday, and the strong opinions on the subject just fascinate me. I’d love to hear how you all feel about Valentine’s Day, too. But first, this week’s Valentine’s-themed Link Round-Up!

Lesson of the Week

Product of the Week

Speaking of showing people the love, it’s a great idea to keep a box of thank-you notes on hand — and to make use of them often. I’m always so touched when I receive a thank-you note from someone, and I want to make it a point to genuinely thank people more often myself.

Recipe of the Week

Sometimes a fancy meal out can really hit the spot, but if you’re loathe to deal with the crowds and hefty bills that come with a Valentine’s meal out, why not celebrate by cooking together at home? Single? Cook something fancy with friends, or team up & cook a meal for a favorite overworked couple you know & love.

Thought-Provoker of the Week

Back in 2011, I did an informal interview of folks on facebook and twitter & used their responses along with my own personal Valentine’s history to shape a reflection on Valentine’s Day — plus a few tips to redefine the holiday for yourself if its traditional meaning isn’t your cup of tea.

Laugh of the Week

The same year I wrote my reflection, my sister and I decided to trade people roses for their Valentine’s Day stories — on camera. The responses were varied and enlightening — some funny, others poignant. See for yourself below.

That’s it this week. How do you all feel about Valentine’s Day? Love it? Loathe it? Celebrate it or not? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

I don’t know about you, but Groundhog Day gets me excited every year — not because of poor Punxsutawney Phil being pulled from his nice, warm hole in the ground, but because it gets me thinking about spring! I love winter for November and December, but as soon as Dec. 26 hits, I’m ready for sunny & 70 again. I can’t promise summer weather is just around the corner, but I can deliver this link round-up — Groundhog Day Edition!

When you’re facing a huge pile of tasks or find yourself in a creative rut, it’s hard to know how to climb your way of it. But any effort starts with a single step, and sometimes making a small change in your life can make a huge difference. That’s what this week’s link round-up is all about.

Product of the Week

I tried really hard to fall in love with French Press coffee, and for a while, we really had something going. But after a while I had to admit that French Press was a little too acidic for my tastes, not to mention a tad bit grainy toward the bottom. Enter the Pour Over Method, which uses a cone and a disposable or permanent filter. It’s a beautiful thing. I use The Kitchn’s instructions with a digital scale, but you can still get great results with a little less precision. It’s a small change in the 10 minutes I spend making coffee in the morning (when I’m not running to Starbucks, that is), but it makes it much, much more enjoyable.

Recipe of the Week

Lately I’ve been trying to stock my freezer with ready-to-heat-and-eat meals for after the baby arrives — and also because it’s just good practice for busy people. While Dump Chicken is perhaps the worst name for a recipe, there’s no denying the simplicity of buying chicken in bulk, placing (or fine, DUMPING) it in a Ziplock bag, adding marinade or stew ingredients, and tossing it in the freezer ’til you’re ready to stick (OK, fine! DUMP) it in a crockpot. Add a side of veggies and a complex carb, and you’ve got a well-rounded, healthy, easy meal. Here’s a list of 48 versions.

Thought-Provoker of the Week

In January of last year, I stumbled across FatMumSlim’s #fmsphotoaday challenge. She provides a list of prompts each month, and the idea is (you guessed it) to take a photo each day somehow related to the prompt. There are other versions of this, like #project365, as well as a bunch of photoaday copycat lists, but they all serve the same purpose — getting you to find something new/unique/remarkable every day of your life. My record isn’t perfect (that isn’t the point), but I’ve noticed beauty in places I’d never have thought to look by taking part. In fact, many of the photos you see on this blog are a result of that effort. I wrote a post on my personal blog about it last year expanding on why it’s a great idea, especially for writers. With the prevalence of cell phone cameras these days, whether you choose to post them somewhere or not, it’s definitely a small but rewarding change to your life worth considering.

Laugh of the Week

And with talk of any photo challenge must come acknowledgment that you’re probably going to take some of these photos. You can still laugh at this video and continue to take said photos. Or at least I do.

Lesson of the Week

All great ventures are done one little step at a time. If a goal is truly important to you, if you can commit to doing at least one thing a day to get you closer to achieving that goal, you’ve got a great chance of getting there — and sooner rather than later. Here Seth Godin offers a few ideas on using the “one thing a day” principle to market your small business.

They say that nearly half of us make New Year’s Resolutions every year, but only 8 percent of us are successful in achieving those resolutions. If you’re struggling now that the newness of 2013 is starting to fade, it’s perfectly OK to give yourself a new start. Remember, it only takes 21 days to form a habit, so there’s still plenty of time left in the year to make good on those resolutions.

Recipe of the Week

If you’re looking for healthy but also delicious recipes, then check out Gina’s SkinnyTaste food blog. She provides not only the recipe (with enticing pictures) but also nutritional information (including Weight Watchers points, if that’s your program of choice), so you can choose and plan recipes to fit your diet. Here are her Top 25 recipes of 2012 to get you started. (I adapted her Skinny Scones on New Year’s Day, and they were excellent.)

Thought-Provoker of the Week

Forbes tells us why our New Year’s Resolutions will fail by Feb. 1 — and offers advice on how NOT to let that happen. And remember, you can make resolutions at any time of the year, so if you’ve decided your initial resolutions weren’t quite right, use this advice to make new ones!

Laugh of the Week

Jimmy Kimmel asks folks if they’ve been able to keep their New Year’s resolutions two & a half weeks into the new year.

We’re one week into the New Year. Are you surviving? I always feel a little overwhelmed with everything I want to do in the New Year, so this week’s link round-up is all about slowing down and taking it a little easier.

Product of the Week

If you’re already feeling overwhelmed by everything you want to accomplish this year, then this Eucalyptus Spearmint Candle from Bath & Bodyworks is for you. This is one of the strongest and longest-lasting candles I have ever come across in my life. I think I’ve been burning the same one for like three years, so you’re definitely getting some bang for your buck.

Recipe of the Week

Are you guys ready for the easiest snack ever? Here it is:

AVOCADO TOAST

Ingredients

1/4 to 1/2 an avocado

1 slice of bread

A dash of hot sauce (optional)

Salt & pepper to taste

Directions

Turn bread into toast.

Spread & mash avocado.

Top with hot sauce, salt & pepper.

Devour.

(Pro Tip: Leave the Pit in the side you don’t use, place in an airtight bag or container & refrigerate; the avocado will stay green & keep longer.)

Here’s what’s been capturing my attention around the internet this week. If you’ve come across anything interesting (or have anything to say about the links below), I’d love to hear from you in the comments!

Product of the Week

If a new and improved healthy eating plan is on your agenda for the New Year, then this Personal Blender with a Travel Lid is fantastic way to enjoy easy-to-make, vitamin-packed smoothies on your way to work or after a workout without dirtying up another cup. Pro Tip: start with liquid, then add softer ingredients like yogurt, fresh produce, protein powders, etc., and top it off with frozen items like fruit or ice.

Recipe of the Week

And to go with that blender, how about a Green Smoothie Challenge? This collection of 5 combinations is super easy to get you into the the green smoothie habit. I’ve been looking for easier ways to get my fruits & veggies in (since I crave salt & sugar even MORE while pregnant apparently), and smoothies are a great way to do it. Adding a handful of spinach or kale to a fruit-filled smoothie packs a huge nutritional punch, and you’ll never even know you’re drinking spinach/kale — except for the bright green color, that is. Throw in some Greek yogurt or some protein powder to make it a fully functioning nutritional powerhouse!

Thought-Provoker of the Week

I’m big on reviewing the previous year (the good and bad) and setting new goals for the next year. Instead of setting New Year’s resolutions, I define New Year’s initiatives. I first came across Nicole’s review method in 2011, and I used it again at the end of 2012. If you haven’t done any sort of review/initiative process yet and want to, check out her free guide.

Laugh of the Week

Lesson of the Week

Shameless Self-Promotion of the Week

Speaking of facebook (and I’m pretty sure I’m not committing any of The Oatmeal’s DON’Ts here), if you’re facebook-inclined and like what you’ve seen so far here, I’d like to invite you to visit (and like if you like!) the Sarah Writes Stories facebook page, just launched last night. Thanks, and have an awesome weekend!